The Preacher’s View

I have a secret,between me and you.Sometimes the preacherhas the very best view.The day was a beautybut so was the bride.As she stood in the doorwaywith the groom by my side.The planning was finished,the work would now start.As she walked down the aisleto give her whole heart.

With each step moving closer,I could see in her eye.Some seeds of the tearsthat she didn’t want to cry.On this happy occasion,as she walked toward her groom.There was a good presencethat entered the room.The bride and her fatherwere walking toward me.And with them the presenceof her sister, Bre.

I stood for a momentwith a lump in my throat.As I retrieved my glassesfrom out of my coat.I must continue,so I drew a deep breath.And heard a sweet voice,not silenced by death.“I can do all thingsas He strengthens me.”Was the opening whisperthat I heard from Bre.

And so I continued,with a witness unseen.And a beautiful couplein this wedding scene.There was anotherwho looked on from above.For God is the authorof this thing we call love.His presence was with me,and I pray it’s with you.As you glance for a momentat this preacher’s view.

As I was resting Sunday afternoon following the Saturday evening wedding and Sunday morning preaching that I was privileged to do, this poem began filling my mind. It was a great honor for me to officiate the wedding for my niece, but I knew the day would have its hard times as each family member would miss the physical presence of Bre — my niece, and the bride’s sister, who died in an auto accident almost a year ago. As an uncle, I know that my loss doesn’t compare to that of Bre’s parents and siblings, but I wasn’t sure how acute that feeling of loss would be as I stood there watching the bride come down the aisle with my brother — her dad. The lump in my throat was real as I looked into her eyes and wondered if I could finish what I hadn’t even started. It was at that point the presence of God, and I believe the presence of Bre as one of the “great cloud of witnesses, reminded me of one of her favorite verse; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Anyhow, as this poem about the experience came out of my mind, I shared it with my niece late Sunday as I felt she needed to see this first. I share it more publicly now with the hope and prayer that God uses it as a means of comfort and encouragement to others who not only grieve, but who need the assurance of God’s presence and of the presence of the great cloud of witnesses that have gone on before us.

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Disclaimer!

All posts on this blog are my thoughts and opinions at the time of writing and do not necessarily reflect the views of any other individual or organization. I have been known to change my mind on occasion, so the writings here may not even reflect my views all the time.
Thanks for learning with me. - Tom